Jury finds Toledo man not guilty of murder

2/18/2011
BLADE STAFF

Ray Gott was found not guilty of murder, but was convicted of voluntary manslaughter.
Ray Gott was found not guilty of murder, but was convicted of voluntary manslaughter.
A Toledo man was acquitted of murder Friday night but found guilty of the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter for the April shooting death of a man during a fight at a central city apartment complex.

Ray Gott, 48, of 30 West Weber St. was also found not guilty of felonious assault.
Gott was initially charged with murder with a gun specification for the shooting death of Edward Christopher Lee, 35, and with felonious assault with a gun specification for the shooting  Sherlon McKenzie, during an April 4 altercation in the parking lot of the Moody Manor apartments.
Judge Stacy Cook set a Feb. 28 sentencing date where he faces up to 13 years in prison.
The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for about 17 hours over two days before reaching a decision Friday. Twenty-three witnesses testified and more than 50 exhibits were presented over the seven-day trial.